Benny And Babloo

Madhur Bhandarkar's body of work boasts of two prominent films – Chandni Bar and Page 3. Chandni Bar was the first film that made the viewer peep into the lives of bar girls, while Page 3 exposed the shallow lives of the glam brigade. Director Yunus Sajawal combines Chandni Bar and Page 3 in Benny And Babloo. The film looks at the lives of bar girls and concurrently, talks of the dual standards of the elite, who often masquerade as moral guardians of the society.

The question is, since we've seen it all in the past, does Sajawal go beyond Chandni Bar and Page 3? Benny And Babloo tells the story from a bell boy (Kay Kay) and waiter's (Rajpal Yadav) point of view and though the story isn't innovative, it has its share of absorbing moments. Also, it tells you in very clear words that bar girls shouldn't be ostracized because of their profession. They've a responsibility to fulfill and a family to support. It also states, very coherently again, that the glam brigade is a sham. They've far more skeletons to hide in their closet.

Final word? Benny And Babloo may not be path breaking or innovative as such, but it keeps you hooked in most parts, especially the finale.